help

Hi Paula!

That's quite a shock to your system to jerk you off of all three of those medications at once. Did he take you off cold turkey? I'm not sure that was a good idea as you can have nasty withdrawal symptoms depending on how long you've been on some of them.

Recently my doctor asked if I'd like to try Savella. I had no desire after what I've read about it but he looked up what other drugs it conflicts with and... I take effexor and while you 'can' take them together it's not advised to do so. That tells me that Mixing Savella and Lyrica might not be the best idea since the Lyrica acts like an antidepressant. Plus there is a warning on the Savella that cautions mixing them with muscle relaxers. Some people do it but it's something your doctor would have to watch very carefully.

I do think it's unfair to leave you without any type of pain treatment. This is one problem I've seen with pain management clinics/doctors. Sometimes you get one that won't prescribe any medications and then you're stuck. The only thing I can suggest if that happens is to either return to your PCP for your medications, which might not work. Your PCP may refuse to prescribe anything since you are seeing a PM. Or you can switch to a different PM doctor. If you do switch please remember to interview them before you sign on. You need to see if their style of pain control matches with what you want and need. Most often people don't take time for this step and get stuck in a situation where they are undertreated and very unhappy.

Right now all I can recommend is OTC pain medicine like Aleve or Tylenol. Maybe some Benedryl at night to help with sleep. Keep the muscles warm, soak in a warm bath if needed, gentle and slow exercise helps a lot! Then decide which way you want to proceed with your pain management. Remember...it's YOUR body, not the doctors. And you are hiring HIM, not him allowing you to see him. Most often this is the case and we need to remember who's hiring whom.

Good luck!
Chutz

I am sorry you are going thru this.  I had a doc who did this and it was a disaster.  I stay with my PCP because of this type of thing.  Maybe you could quit the pain clinic and explain things to your doc.  I am hoping that you don't end up with the withdrawals. 

If you are happy with the pain clinic otherwise maybe they can taper you down off the meds.  I don't know if I would trust a doc that didn't think about issues with stopping meds cold turkey.  Good Luck!

Hi Paula and welcome, I've been away from the forum for awhile.

 

There are so many meds you can't go off of cold turkey without side effects and to take you off three at once, what are some of these docs thinking??? Only my opinion, but I wouldn't do it.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee